366 Bow Ties: Day 15

Churchill Day. 

Nice and fat. Nice and floppy. About as classic as you can get. I'm sure the old hero was rolling over in his grave at the notion of his iconic bow tie being worn with khakis and a pullover sweater with a (gasp!) zipper. But I decided that for the likes of me to don something as iconic as Churchill polka dots, it--and I--probably needed to be chilled the heck out in every other regard. After all, I'm not advancing an empire or anything.

The bow tie itself turned out great. From all the photos I could find, it seems Churchill wore it fat, floppy, disheveled, and never the same exact way twice. It also looks like his polka dots were not configured on the bias, but ran straight across the width of the the bow tie in grid-like fashion. This we weren't able to replicate because the necktie from which our Churchill bow was cut was on the bias. Still, pretty close.

Today was the first I've worn one of my new pair of Bill's Khakis: the M2 weathered canvas to be specific. The snug fit is in fashion these days when it comes to trousers, and I must say I'm inclined to follow that trend. Things that fit just look cleaner, less disheveled, than things that are frumpy. Especially well fitting jeans seem to be more grown-up looking.

The weathered canvas only comes in their medium-fitting M2 model, but I thought I'd give them a try anyway. I'm very pleased with them. They feel incredibly sturdy, and the canvas has a texture that both feels like serious business and adds visual interest in ace you happen to be looking. I'm thankful to the good folks at Bill's Khakis--perhaps the best maker of khakis anywhere in the world--for sending along some of their made-in-PA trousers, and we're looking forward to sending them some made-in-SC bow ties.

Note the jean-stitch finishing. I had them make the inseam a little longer than I'd like them (I tend to be a high-water type. I know. Hipster, blah blah blah) so that I can roll them up and show a little more hosiery than is probably called for. I think the jean-stitch finishing and rolled cuff helps chill them out a bit. Once I wash them, I'll probably leave off the crease and that'll help, too. Gheesh, it's a lot of work toning down a Churchill bow tie!

The great thing about a chilling the bow tie out is that you can do things like help teach your boys how to ride bikes without training wheels on a Sunday afternoon without having to change for the occasion. Ellie really was the catalyst for this boyhood rite of passage, and her work paid off as Deacon went from petrified to thrilled at the prospect of graduating to training wheellessness. She had a lot of dandelion distractions to overcome, but she succeeded in the end.

We had our first church service for the new church we're starting last evening, too, which is another reason to have pulled out such an iconic bow tie--and to mix it with something a little more relaxed.

The service was humble, simple, and delightful. I won't soon forget it.

I leave you with the link to the Churchill bow on our store, though alas, it sold out just a couple hours after I listed it yesterday. Congrats to my friend and fellow Carolinian Josh E for making it his own. I expect photos, sir.

---

---

Leave a comment

Name *

Email *

Comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.